First ride ever on my SS

Caden · #1 12-16.-2007

I wanted a bike more like my road bike than a mountain or dorky hybrid for my commuting and ended up falling for a Bianchi San Jose, which is a single-speed w/ flip flop hub. I put a rear rack and front fender on and went for my first ride on my 8 mile somewhat hilly commute ride in *freewheel* mode, not fixed. My thoughts, FWIW:

I panicked and wondered if I'd made a horrible mistake the first time I hit a significant hill (for those here in Austin - the Shoal Creek hill from 38th street to the North) and had to grind up it out of the saddle the entire way. Right now my quads are literally twitching. I need to get stronger!!

I almost ate pavement when trying to do a slow turn when my toeclip/cage thingie this bike came with ran into the fender I installed on the front wheel (might have happened even without the fender, I guess). Am I gonna have to ride without a fender? In the rain? What do most folks do?

On the positive side, I was able to blow past a couple roadies on the flats and I do enjoy the speed I get out of this thing over the heavy hybrid I was riding!

wheelist · #2 01-20.-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caden

I wanted a bike more like my road bike than a mountain or dorky hybrid for my commuting and ended up falling for a Bianchi San Jose, which is a single-speed w/ flip flop hub. I put a rear rack and front fender on and went for my first ride on my 8 mile somewhat hilly commute ride in *freewheel* mode, not fixed. My thoughts, FWIW:

I panicked and wondered if I'd made a horrible mistake the first time I hit a significant hill (for those here in Austin - the Shoal Creek hill from 38th street to the North) and had to grind up it out of the saddle the entire way. Right now my quads are literally twitching. I need to get stronger!!

I almost ate pavement when trying to do a slow turn when my toeclip/cage thingie this bike came with ran into the fender I installed on the front wheel (might have happened even without the fender, I guess). Am I gonna have to ride without a fender? In the rain? What do most folks do?

On the positive side, I was able to blow past a couple roadies on the flats and I do enjoy the speed I get out of this thing over the heavy hybrid I was riding!

Nope. You didn't make a mistake. Uphills will kill you at first! They get easier each time though.

Toe clearance can be particularly tight (or non-existent) on track-type frames. My toes touch my wheel even without fenders (mudguards). The secret is only to travel very fast, so you can lean the bike and not make sharp turns!

Meek One · #3 01-31.-2009

Now do it as a Fixie.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caden

I wanted a bike more like my road bike than a mountain or dorky hybrid for my commuting and ended up falling for a Bianchi San Jose, which is a single-speed w/ flip flop hub. I put a rear rack and front fender on and went for my first ride on my 8 mile somewhat hilly commute ride in *freewheel* mode, not fixed. My thoughts, FWIW:

I panicked and wondered if I'd made a horrible mistake the first time I hit a significant hill (for those here in Austin - the Shoal Creek hill from 38th street to the North) and had to grind up it out of the saddle the entire way. Right now my quads are literally twitching. I need to get stronger!!

I almost ate pavement when trying to do a slow turn when my toeclip/cage thingie this bike came with ran into the fender I installed on the front wheel (might have happened even without the fender, I guess). Am I gonna have to ride without a fender? In the rain? What do most folks do?

On the positive side, I was able to blow past a couple roadies on the flats and I do enjoy the speed I get out of this thing over the heavy hybrid I was riding!

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